London TW9£700,000 - Share of Freehold

Sheen Road

Reworked interiors strike a delicate balance between rustic and refined

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This exactingly renovated two-bedroom apartment is a lesson in the negotiation of historic integrity and the desire for a high-quality contemporary finish. Set on the second floor of a grand Victorian villa, it has elevated leafy views over the surrounding area. Richmond Hill, Richmond Park and riverside and the town centre are all within walking distance, as is Richmond Station, for easy access to central London, while off-street parking allows for convenient countryside excursions.

Setting the Scene

It was from around 1690 onwards that Richmond began to develop from a village into a small but prosperous town. At this time, many mansions were built on its outskirts, including along the Sheen Road, the historic route into London. High-quality 18th and 19th-century homes characterise the street, many built following the introduction of the railway as summer homes for merchants and professionals. Richmond’s prosperity is reflected in the substantial provision of almshouses in the town, three of which can be found on Sheen Road. For more information, please see the History section.

Grand tour

This grand Victorian house sits proudly on the corner of Sheen Road, marking the beginning of a change in density and typology as larger, villa-style houses begin to line the road. The soft colours of the red-brick façade contrast with restored bath stone dressings, and the roof has retained its original hand-scalloped clay tiles.

The building is set back from the road by a communal garden filled with perennial shrubs; the entrance is at the raised ground floor level within an arched inset portico. Recently refurbished, the communal areas are generously proportioned and well maintained; quality finishes and warm tones create a comfortable welcome. Careful restoration has revealed the shadows of the original distemper which has been preserved as a snapshot into the building’s past – a tangible palimpsest of texture and tone.

Throughout the flat, the reworked interiors are immaculate, achieving a fine balance between refined and rustic through a minimalist approach to design and palette. Polished plaster and lime paints have been used in a curated palette of natural tones, the finish of the walls adding a soft lustre. Broad oak flooring runs underfoot throughout.

Nowhere is the home’s singular approach better experienced than the living space: a bright, warm room with a large arched window framing views out over the street. High skirtings, bespoke timber shutters and an elegant fire surround ground the interiors in their historic setting.

While the same meticulous approach is applied throughout the flat, each room has a distinct character. In the kitchen, sage green units are topped by a Valchromat countertop, a combination complemented by timber and Carrara marble shelving. Focusing on a material-driven aesthetic, the shower room is cloaked in terracotta tiles against which striking brass fittings contrast.

In the hallway, the clever design integrates storage and a utility space within bespoke joinery, and an internal window borrows light from the stairwell.

Both bedrooms are lit by sash windows that frame far-reaching views of Richmond. Storage is built-in; a bespoke wardrobe lines one wall of the primary bedroom, while eaves storage is accessible through the second bedroom.

An off-street parking area is to the rear with two spaces allocated to the apartment.

Out and About

There are several amenities on Sheen Road, including a celebrated hairdresser and neighbourhood greengrocer. Wholefoods and Waitrose are less than a 10-minute walk away, as too are the pretty Richmond Green and several independent eateries including local Italian favourite Al Boccon Di Vino. The vast wonders of Richmond Park can be reached within 15 minutes on foot, Kew Gardens in 20 minutes and the original Petersham Nurseries in half an hour. Outdoor swimming facilities at Pools on the Park are a short stroll in the other direction.

Sheen Road is just an eight-minute walk from Richmond Station, serviced by London Overground, the District Line and National Rail Services. Trains to Waterloo depart multiple times an hour and take as little as 19 minutes. Gatwick Airport is reachable within an hour by train and road.

The neighbouring Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School and Marshgate Primary School are both rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 999 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,200 per annum
Ground Rent: N/A
Council Tax Band: D

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. Inigo has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.

History

The town’s history, and indeed its existence, is dominated by and owed to the medieval and Tudor royal manor and palace. Originally named for the manor house of Shene, the town became known as Richmond only following the reconstruction of the palace by Henry VII, the earl of Richmond. The accession of the Stuarts saw the creation of the New Park (now the Old Deer Park) by James I from 1603 and Richmond Park by Charles I from 1634.

The village gradually developed into a town due to the presence of the palace, and in turn declined followed its demolition. Prosperity returned towards the end of the 17th century as Londoners fled the plague and the discovery of a spring led to Richmond becoming a popular spa town over the following century. Richmond Bridge, built in 1774-7, and the arrival of the railway in 1846 were key developments leading to the quadrupling of the population from 1810 to 1890.

Richmond continued to prosper and expand during the 19th and 20th centuries, and although suffering damage during the Blitz, now has a varied and characterful high street, and for many represents the perfect balance of town and country.